If you lose your driving licence or it gets stolen, damaged or destroyed you will need to apply for a replacement. You can apply for a replacement driving licence with the DVLA, by visiting the www.gov.uk website and completing their online application process. Here we will provide tips and advice for when you lose your driving licence.

What to do if you lose your driving licenceFake Ids Are Medium Stupid – KitkaIn the UK, you will either have a paper licence or a photo card.

Providing that you are a resident of Great Britain and have not been disqualified from driving for any reason then you will be able to apply for a replacement driving licence online. In order to do this you will need to have a valid UK passport or other form of identity and be able to provide the addresses you have lived at in the last three years. It also helps if you know your National Insurance number and your driving licence number. Once you have completed the online application process, you should expect to receive your replacement licence within one week. Applying online is the quickest way to get a replacement driving licence.

Your driving licence photo card

Fake Ids Are Medium Stupid – Kitka If your photo card licence is due to expire within two years - or you have had a UK passport issued in the last five years - then the DVLA will simply use an electronic copy of your passport photo on your replacement photo card. If however, you do not have a suitable electronic passport photo, you will need to send your application via the post with a new photograph.

Alternative ways to apply for a replacement licence

If you do not want to apply online, you can apply for a replacement licence over the phone, providing that none of your details have changed. You can call the DVLA on 0300 790 6801. You can also apply for a replacement licence by sending off a form in the post. You will need to pick up the D1 application form from your local Post Office. If you do not have a Post Office close by (or your local Post Office does not stock D1 forms), you will need to contact a DVLA representative on 0843 479 9821 so they can post a form to your address. A postal application can take up to three weeks to process.

The cost of replacing your driving licence

If you have lost your driving licence or it has been stolen, defaced or destroyed then it will cost you £20.00 to buy a replacement. If you are applying online, you can make the payment using your debit or credit card. If you are sending a postal application, you can enclose a cheque made payable to the DVLA.

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If you lose your driving licence or it is stolen then you need to report it to the police. By reporting the loss of theft of your driving licence, you will prevent others from being able to impersonate you, using your driving licence.

Can I drive?

Providing that you have applied for a replacement driving licence and are not disqualified from driving for any reason, you can continue to drive whilst you wait for your new driving licence to be sent out. In order for your replacement driving licence application to be deemed valid you need to make sure that you have filled out the application accurately and have complied with the necessary medical enquiries.Fake Ids Are Medium Stupid – KitkaWhat to do if you find your old driving licence

Sometimes people panic when they lose their driving licence and apply for a new one before retracing their steps. If you apply for a replacement driving licence and then find your old one, you will need to return your old licence to the DVLA as it is no longer valid. Along with sending your old licence, it is best to explain that you have already received a replacement, to avoid causing confusion and problems.Fake Ids Are Medium Stupid – KitkaProvisional driving licences

Although you may not hold a full driving licence, you still need to apply for a replacement provisional driving licence if you lose your green photo card. The application process is exactly the same and you will also be charged £20.00. Make sure that you report the loss or theft of your provisional licence to the police.

In order to take the driving theory test and practical driving test you need to be able to present your photo card. Therefore if you have misplaced it, or it has been stolen or damaged then you will need to re-arrange your tests. Unfortunately if you turn up on the day without a complete provisional driving licence, then you will not be able to take your test and will have lost the fee.

Fake Ids Are Medium Stupid – Kitka If you know your test is coming up and you have lost your licence, re-arrange the test as soon as possible to avoid being charged. Remember it can take a week to receive a replacement driving licence if you apply online and up to three weeks if you apply via postal application.

ConclusionFake Ids Are Medium Stupid – KitkaAlthough it is not the end of the world if you lose your driving licence or provisional licence, it is paramount that you apply for a replacement as soon as possible. The easiest and quickest way to apply for a new driving licence is to visit the www.gov.uk If you do not have access to the internet, you can send an application through the post. Always make sure you report the loss or theft of your licence to the police, to prevent others from being able to use your licence. If you require any more information about replacing your lost driving licence, we suggest visiting the www.gov.uk website or getting in touch with one of their phone operatives.Image credits: comedy_nose & Foxtongue